It was nearly a week later when Simon and River said their final goodbyes to the crew. Mal had insisted that they stay until a safe place could be found to leave them. Simon had readily agreed, not wanting to leave until he was certain Mal was out of the woods.
At first they had considered asking Inara to temporarily shelter the Tams. After all, Gabriel couldn't know about her yet, and she had more than enough money and resources to find them a more permanent sanctuary. That idea had been thrown out, though. Inara's legal obligations to the Guild would have complicated matters. So instead, Mal had contacted an old army buddy of his and Zoe's that he felt could be trusted.
Jeremiah Barton made a comfortable living stealing Alliance technology and selling it to mischief-makers. The war was long over, but Barton still loved nothing better than causing trouble for the organization he had fought so hard against. Barton had enthusiastically agreed to offer assistance when he received Mal's wave explaining the situation. "Hell, Mal! I'd help 'em out even if they weren't your family!" he had replied. "If the purple-bellies want 'em that bad, I'll personally see to it that they never get their prissy, no-good, lily-white, ain't-never-worked-an-honest-day-in-their-lives hands on 'em! I'll find 'em both a safe place, you mark my words."
So, reluctantly, Wash had begun a slow burn in the direction of Barton's planet. The mood on the ship had been a somber one all week. Kaylee and River would both sporadically burst into tears while the others looked on helplessly. Simon attempted to comfort them a few times, but his heart just wasn't in it.
Book hadn't said anything, though he'd developed a habit of clapping Simon on the shoulder and looking sadly at him before turning and walking away.
Zoe had also refrained from any heartfelt speeches. The quiet, respectful tone she used when she did speak to either Tam, however, told more than any mere words could have on their own.
Wash, his voice choking in his throat, had presented Simon and River each with one of his prized dinosaurs. River had stared at hers blankly for a moment. "Troodon. Bipedal meat-eater from the late Cretaceous Period. Possibly the smartest of the dinosaurs, with the largest brain in proportion to its body weight." Then she'd launched herself into Wash's arms and started crying again.
Even Jayne had been less than his usual exuberant self. He'd still commented on how creepy River was and insulted Simon at every available opportunity, but several times he'd had the grace to actually feel bad about it. Two days before they were scheduled to rendezvous with Barton, he'd pulled Simon aside for a shooting lesson in the cargo bay, saying, "Now listen Doc. You been with Mal a good three years now, an' he never did teach you to shoot worth a damn. Figure it's 'bout time you learn, since we ain't gonna be around to protect your ass no more."
"I know how to shoot!" sputtered Simon defensively.
Jane snorted. "Yeah, but you don't know how to hit anything."
Simon stared at the larger man suspiciously. "I don't understand, Jayne. Why the sudden concern for my welfare? We don't even like each other."
Jayne shifted uncomfortably. "I ain't concerned. I just don't wanna deal with Mal gettin' all pissed off if we get word that you went an' got yourself killed 'cause you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if it jumped in front a' you and said, "Here I am, hit me!"" He shuddered slightly. "A pissed-off Mal's been know to space folk."
Simon couldn't argue with that, and paid close attention to the lesson.
Now here he was, standing in the sunlight of a strange planet, saying goodbye to these people that had become his true family while Jeremiah Barton stood back patiently.
Simon finished hugging Kaylee. The others hung back, having already finished with their farewells. The little engineer tried to look stern when she said, "Now you take care of yourself, okay?", but the effect was ruined by her red-blotched cheeks and the tears streaming from her sweet brown eyes.
Simon smoothed a lock of hair back from her face. "I will", he promised. "You do the same."
Kaylee nodded miserably and turned to River. They'd already hugged, but both girls clutched each other tightly again and broke out into a fresh round of tears.
Tears threatening his own eyes, Simon looked away from them to see Mal's face before him. They'd said their true goodbye the night before, making gentle, heartbreakingly slow love throughout the night. It had been bittersweet, both knowing too well it was very likely the last night they would ever spend together in their bed. Simon remembered trying to commit each touch, each sound, each sensation to memory. It was one he would need to make it through the coming years without this incredible, infuriating, wonderful man at his side.
Mal took a step closer. He raised his chin and stood ramrod straight in a vain attempt to maintain his composure. "Now, can call on us if you ever find yourselves in a situation you can't handle. You got that?" Zoe flinched behind him, distressed to see her captain in so much pain. Wash wrapped an arm around her shoulder and stroked her arm soothingly, looking incredibly sad himself.
Simon nodded. "I got that." He and Mal stared at each other for a moment longer, and then they were moving forward, gripping each other with bruising force, composure shot to hell.
"I'll find you. Someday when it's safe. Even if it takes the rest of my life, I'll find you again and bring you home. You an' River both" Mal whispered fiercely in his husband's ear.
Simon's fingers dug even more deeply into Mal's back. "We'll be waiting", he whispered back. "I love you."
Mal's voice was thick with emotion. "Love you too,Doc"
Simon leaned back slightly to hook a hand around the back of Mal's neck and pulled him down for one final kiss. Lips mashed together and a hand came up to cup Simon's cheek. The kiss tasted like coffee and tears, and Simon didn't want it to end.
Finally, Mal managed to tear his lips away and took a step back, breathing hard. He searched out Barton with his gaze and gave him a short nod.
Barton took that as his cue and walked over to come up behind Simon and River. "Don't you worry, Mal. I'll find 'em someplace real nice and safe. Now, I think you'd all best be going, else this guy you're worried 'bout's gonna track you down and make this whole plan be for nothin'." He looked beyond Mal and gave Zoe a small smile. "Zoe. Was good to see you 'gain."
"You too, Jeremiah", replied Zoe with the ghost of a smile.
The remaining Serenity crew began to drift back towards the ship. Only Jayne hesitated. He stood for a moment, looking as though he were waging some internal battle. Finally he said loudly with a scowl, "Ah, hell!" With three powerful strides he reached Simon and River and pulled them both to his chest in a rough hug. The siblings let out small cries of surprise and alarm. "You freaks be careful out there, dong ma?" said Jayne with as much emotion as Simon had every heard from him. With a final squeeze he released them and rejoined the others. Wash looked at him with a raised eyebrow and opened his mouth to say something, which Jayne prevented with a heated, "You keep your ruttin' mouth shut, little man!" Wash's jaw snapped shut and he raised his hands in a placating gesture.
River pressed herself tightly against her brother's side as Serenity's ramp began to rise. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. One of them was shaking, but he wasn't entirely sure which it was. The Serenity crew hovered at the edge of the cargo bay, watching the Tams from behind Mal's lanky frame. Simon's hazel eyes met Mal's blue once more, and neither looked away until the ramp was firmly up and locked, obscuring the other from view.
Wind blew through Simon and River's hair as Serenity lifted from the ground and flew into the lonely horizon. Both siblings watched with tear-blurred eyes as their home became a distant speck against the deep blue sky, and they were left once again bereft of a family.